Final answer:
In a poetry contest requiring a patterned poem, the form of poetry that could NOT be included is C) free verse, as it does not follow a regular structure or pattern unlike couplets, haiku, or limericks.
Step-by-step explanation:
A poetry contest that specifies the requirement of a patterned poem would accept poetic forms that adhere to a set structure or pattern, such as couplets, haiku, and limericks. Each of these forms has a specific pattern or structure. Couplets consist of two lines that typically rhyme; haiku is a three-line form with a syllable pattern of 5-7-5; and limericks are humorous five-line poems with a distinct rhythm and an AABBA rhyme scheme. In contrast, free verse poetry does not conform to a regular rhythm or set line length. Although it may incorporate elements such as rhyme or meter occasionally, it is not defined by these structural patterns.
Therefore, the form of poetry that could NOT be in the contest, if the contest requires a patterned poem, is C) free verse. Unlike the other forms mentioned, free verse poetry is characterized by a lack of a prescribed structure, making it the option that does not fit the criteria of a patterned poem.